Quick answer:
Quick answer: Cusco does not have a “city pass” in the European sense — it has the Boleto Turistico (Cusco Tourist Ticket), a combo ticket that is genuinely the cheapest way into most of the city’s ruins and museums. The Boleto Turistico General costs S/130 (about $35), valid 10 days, and covers 16 sites including Sacsayhuaman, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero and Moray — sites that are largely not sold as individual tickets. It does not cover Machu Picchu, the Cathedral, Qorikancha or Rainbow Mountain, which are booked separately.
Cusco Passes at a Glance
| Pass | Price (2026) | Validity | What it covers | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boleto Turistico General | S/130 (~$35 adult); S/70 student with ISIC; children under 10 free | 10 days | 16 sites: Sacsayhuaman, Q’enqo, Puka Pukara, Tambomachay, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Moray, Tipon, Pikillacta, plus 6 city museums | Anyone doing the Sacred Valley plus a Cusco city day |
| Circuit I (Cusco ruins) | S/70 (~$19) | 1 day | Sacsayhuaman, Q’enqo, Puka Pukara, Tambomachay | A short stay with just one day for ruins near the city |
| Circuit II (city + museums) | S/70 (~$19) | 2 days | City museums and Monumento Pachacuteq (no Sacsayhuaman) | Rainy-day museum hopping in the city |
| Circuit III (Sacred Valley) | S/70 (~$19) | 2 days | Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Moray | A Sacred Valley day trip without the General ticket |
The partial circuit tickets (S/70 each) only make sense if you truly need one circuit and nothing else — buying two circuits already costs more than the General. Tickets are sold at the sites themselves, at the Cusco tourist office (Av. El Sol) and online; there is no discount for buying online, it mainly saves a queue.
Top-Rated Cusco Tours & Sacred Valley Trips
What the Main Attractions Cost — and Whether the Pass Covers Them
| Attraction | Adult ticket (2026, approx.) | In the pass? | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Machu Picchu (standard circuit) | ~S/152 (~$41); Andean Community discount available | Sold separately | Book weeks ahead in high season (May–Sep); combine with train tickets |
| Qorikancha / Santo Domingo | ~S/15 (~$4) | No | The Inca sun temple beneath the colonial church |
| Cusco Cathedral | ~S/25 (~$7) | No | On the Plaza de Armas |
| Sacsayhuaman | Not sold alone | Boleto Turistico (General or Circuit I) | The single biggest reason most visitors buy the Boleto |
| Pisac ruins & Ollantaytambo fortress | Not sold alone | Boleto Turistico (General or Circuit III) | Sacred Valley’s two biggest sites |
| Moray | Not sold alone | Boleto Turistico (General or Circuit III) | Often paired with the Maras salt mines on a tour |
| Maras salt pans | ~S/10 (~$3), paid locally | No | Community-run, cash only at the gate |
| Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) | ~S/25 community fee, usually bundled into a $25–$45 tour | No, different route entirely | Best done as a guided day tour; high altitude (~5,000m) |
Prices checked September 2026 and can change without notice — confirm at the ticket office or the official Cusco tourist ticket site before you go.
The Break-Even Maths
| Itinerary | Individual tickets | Pass | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sacred Valley day + Cusco ruins day (Sacsayhuaman + 3 more) | Not available individually | Boleto General, S/130 | The Boleto is not optional for this itinerary |
| Only the Sacred Valley, no Cusco ruins | Circuit III, S/70 | Boleto General, S/130 | Circuit III wins if you will not do Circuit I or II |
| Sacred Valley + Cusco ruins + 2 city museums | Circuit III + I + II = S/210 | Boleto General, S/130 | General saves S/80 (~$21) and adds 10 more sites |
Rule of thumb: if your Cusco itinerary includes both a Sacred Valley day and Sacsayhuaman, the S/130 General ticket almost always beats buying circuits separately — and it is the only way to see either at all.
| Tour | From | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Machu Picchu Day Trip from Cusco | $336 | ★ 4.5 (1,714 reviews) |
| Machu Picchu Day Trip from Cusco: Full-Day Guided Tour | $429 | ★ 4.6 (756 reviews) |
| Cusco City Tour Four Ruins in Half-Day | $40 | ★ 4.9 (651 reviews) |
| Full Day Tour to Machu Picchu From Cusco | $389 | ★ 4.8 (345 reviews) |
| Cusco Open Top Bus Tour: City Highlights & Inca Archaeological | $14 | ★ 4.3 (247 reviews) |
| Full Day City Tour Cusco | $30 | ★ 4.9 (133 reviews) |
Who Should Buy It
Anyone spending 2+ days around Cusco and the Sacred Valley: the Boleto Turistico General. Short-stay visitors doing only the four hilltop ruins in an afternoon: Circuit I alone. Everyone visiting Machu Picchu still needs its own ticket — the Boleto does not cover it.
Who Should Skip It
Do not buy Circuit II alone unless you specifically want the city museums and nothing else. Ignore third-party “Cusco pass” resellers bundling the Boleto with tours at a markup; buy the official ticket directly.
How to Get the Most Out of It
Buy the Boleto Turistico General on day one. Use it for Sacsayhuaman, Q’enqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay on an acclimatisation afternoon, then dedicate a full day to the Sacred Valley (Pisac market, Ollantaytambo, Moray, Chinchero). Book Machu Picchu and the train separately, ideally before you arrive, and treat Rainbow Mountain as its own guided day given the altitude.
Guided Alternatives
A small-group Sacred Valley tour or a private guide for the Boleto sites is how most visitors actually use these tickets — see private vs small-group tours in Cusco for the format choice. Everything else Cusco: our Cusco tours hub, what tours cost in Cusco, 48 hours in Cusco.
For passes and tickets in general, see best sites for attraction tickets and timed-entry tickets explained. Everything else Cusco: our Cusco tours hub, what tours cost in Cusco, 48 hours in Cusco.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Boleto Turistico cover Machu Picchu?
No. Machu Picchu entry (about S/152 for foreign adults in 2026) is booked entirely separately, along with train tickets.
How long is the Boleto Turistico valid?
The General ticket is valid 10 consecutive days from first use; the partial circuit tickets are valid 1–2 days.
Can I buy the Boleto Turistico online?
Yes, through the official Cusco tourist ticket portal, but it mainly saves a queue — there is no online discount.
Is Rainbow Mountain covered by any Cusco pass?
No. Vinicunca is on a separate route with its own community entry fee, almost always booked as part of a guided day tour.
Kratos Review is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Prices and policies were checked on 28 September 2026 and can change.
Related: Things to Do in Cusco When It Rains: Best Indoor Activities (2026)
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